Nebraska Child Labor Law

Nebraska’s child labor laws are designed to protect the educational opportunities of minors and keep them from being employed in jobs and under conditions that are detrimental to their health or well-being.

In looking at Nebraska’s laws on child labor, I think it is interesting to see that Nebraska, like many states, does place additional restrictions on 16 and 17 year olds above what is found in federal law. Like many states, Nebraska requires minors to obtain a employment certificate. Employers must keep the certificate on file for any minors they may hire, and return it to the child when they leave. The certificate is validated by the school official and must include proof of the child’s birth date.

I noticed that Nebraska law allows for two exemptions on the employment certificate. The first is for children who work on a golf course as a golf caddy. The second is for children who work for their parents, although they are still bound by the rules about how many hours they can work and they type of employment they can accept.

In reviewing the work hour restrictions placed on 14 and 15 year olds, I found that Nebraska’s law is very much like the Federal law. During times school is in session, minors of this age may not work during school hours. They can only work until 10 p.m., unless school is not being held the next day.

Nebraska’s laws restrict working hours for children under sixteen. They may not work more than 48 hours in a week, nor more than 8 hours in a day. Children are not permitted to work before 6 a.m., and children under 14 cannot work after 8 p.m. These rules include children who are performing detasseling, and children under 12 are not permitted to be hired for detasseling.